The first two graduates of the Early College Program partnership between Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and Alleghany High School were recognized recently. From left: Alleghany County Superintendent Eugene Kotulka; Alleghany Director of Instruction Mary Jane Mutispaugh; Early College graduates Joseph Mayes, Jr., of Clifton Forge and Morgan Linsin of Covington; DSLCC President Dr. John Rainone; and DLSCC Interim Director of Student Services Joe Hagy. Alleghany County Schools and DSLCC have joined in a partnership to offer Early College to AHS students. The two students are proudly wearing Governorâ€™s Medallions, marking the completion of their Associateâ€™s Degrees from DSLCC before graduating from high school. For more information about Early College, contact Hagy at (540) 863-2925 or email jhagy@dslcc.edu or Mary Jane Mutispaugh at (540) 863-1809 or email mmutispaugh@alleghany.k12.va.us.

First Early College Graduates Recognized by DSLCC, Alleghany School Division

Clifton Forge, VA (May 4, 2018) - The first two graduates of the Alleghany High School Early College Program offered through Dabney S. Lancaster Community College will be participating in the Collegeâ€™s annual commencement ceremony on May 11, a week before they graduate from high school.

Morgan Linsin of Covington and Joseph Mayes, Jr., of Clifton Forge have each earned the Associate Degree in General Studies from DSLCC after two years of intense study in dual enrollment classes at the Collegeâ€™s main campus and Alleghany High School. In addition, Mayes recently was named the AHS Salutatorian. They each also have earned the General Education Certificate.

Linsin will enter Bridgewater College in the fall as a junior, with plans to earn a bachelorâ€™s degree in psychology. She is considering a career in education as an elementary school teacher.

Mayes will enter Radford University in the fall, also as a junior, with plans to double major in Spanish and Dietetics. Dietetics is the study of health, nutrition, and disease prevention.

According to Mary Jane Mutispaugh, Director of Instruction for Alleghany County Public Schools, there are five AHS juniors currently enrolled in the Early College program at DSLCC. Six additional AHS students are expected to enroll in the fall.

Joe Hagy, Interim Director of Student Services, explains that Early College is a pathway for high school students to pursue a college degree while also earning a high school diploma. â€śThere has always been a way for high school students to achieve this goal, but in years past, it just wasnâ€™t realistic,â€ť he says. â€śThis collaborative partnership makes postsecondary attainment not only achievable, but also affordable.â€ť

To that end, DSLCC President Dr. John Rainone, Hagy, Alleghany Superintendent Eugene Kotulka and Director of Instruction Mary Jane Mutispaugh came up with a plan to forge a partnership between Alleghany County Schools and DSLCC to develop an Early College program that provided affordability, transferability, and opportunity to students at Alleghany High School.

â€śACPS is extremely proud of the hard work of these two pioneers in this program,â€ť says Mutispaugh. â€śThey have set a high standard for our other students, and their hard work is now reaping rewards.â€ť

â€śItâ€™s a rigorous program, so students have to be dedicated,â€ť says Hagy. Not only do Early College students take college-level courses, but they also take classes in the summer. There might be some activities that students have to give up in order to complete the program, says Hagy.

â€śBut itâ€™s worth it,â€ť he adds. â€śOur two Early College graduates have both saved at least $40,000 on future college expenses. They can use these cost-savings to earn a masterâ€™s degree in four years, rather than a bachelorâ€™s degree.â€ť

Early College students have access to the same resources as any DSLCC student, such as tutoring or other support services, he notes.